Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hot Wheels kicks off U.S. tour to celebrate 40 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/hot-wheels-kicks-off-u-s-tour-to-celebrate-40-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/hot-wheels-kicks-off-u-s-tour-to-celebrate-40-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/hot-wheels-kicks-off-u-s-tour-to-celebrate-40-years/#commentsFiled under: ,



Mattel created the Hot Wheels brand back in 1968, and the lives of several Autoblog writers (and readers as well) were changed forever. We're now halfway through the toy line's 40th birthday year, and, coincidentally, halfway through its Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary Road Trip.

Fans can see life-size editions of some of the most famous Hot Wheels cars, get autographs from Hot Wheels designers and, while supplies last, get a free 40th Anniversary Edition Custom Otto. You'll also be able to see that bejeweled monstrosity we told you about a few months ago that Mattel says is the most expensive Hot Wheels car ever made.

Earlier this month, the tour made stops in El Segundo, California; Wendover, Utah (pictured above); and Speed, Kansas. But there are still three chances for fans to catch the rolling birthday party. This Saturday, the Hall of Fame Museum at Indy will play host. Next Monday, the celebration is at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan and on Sept. 5, the trip ends at the Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen.

[Source: Hemmings Auto Blogs]

 

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]]>custom ottoCustomOttodiecastdiecast carDiecastCarhot wheelshot wheels anniversaryhot wheels anniversary tourhot wheels road tripHotWheelsHotWheelsAnniversaryHotWheelsAnniversaryTourHotWheelsRoadTriptoy carsToyCars2008-08-27T19:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Forget the Branding: Nokia's new 8800 Carbon Arte]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/forget-the-branding-nokias-new-8800-carbon-arte/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/forget-the-branding-nokias-new-8800-carbon-arte/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/forget-the-branding-nokias-new-8800-carbon-arte/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Automotive-themed cell phones are nothing new. We've reported on mobiles branded by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche... even Fiat and HUMMER. But some phones don't need a licensing agreement and a flashy little badge to appeal to automotive enthusiasts.

Take, for example, the new Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte. Based on the already-slick-in-its-own-right 8800 series, the Carbon Arte edition is constructed of the same stuff you're likely to find in the most desirable of supercars: carbon fiber, titanium, stainless steel and polished glass. The sleek mobile packs 3G connectivity, a 3.2-megapixel camera, 4 gigs of memory and a new "turn to mute" feature that automatically kills the ringer when the phone is placed upside down on a table. At $1,600, it ain't cheap, but it looks like a relative bargain next to the $6,400 limited-edition racing-themed cell phones from Nokia's upscale brand Vertu.

[Source: acquire]

 

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]]>automotive themedAutomotiveThemedcar phonecarbon fibercarbon fibreCarbonFiberCarbonFibreCarPhonenokianokia 8800nokia 8800 carbon arteNokia8800Nokia8800CarbonArte2008-08-22T08:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Woodward 2008: Not all replicas are created equal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/16/woodward-2008-not-all-replicas-are-created-equal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/16/woodward-2008-not-all-replicas-are-created-equal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/16/woodward-2008-not-all-replicas-are-created-equal/#commentsFiled under: ,



As long as people have been willing to pay insane amounts of money for classic cars, there have been entrepreneurs and hobbyists creating reproductions of those cars. Unfortunately, the desire to reproduce a classic and the skill to do so in a faithful manner often do not go hand in hand. Such is the case with some of the machines on display along Woodward Ave. today. In some cases like the pseudo GT40 pictured above they copies end up looking more like something out of the movie Cars than the real thing. Any time you make a replica of a classic, the one thing it should never have is badges implying it is any other than a copy.

Gallery: Woodward 2008: Bad replicas

 

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]]>bad replicasBadReplicaswoodwardwoodward dream cruisewoodward2008WoodwardDreamCruise2008-08-16T16:35:00+00:00<![CDATA[Alex Roy reviews his dream car: the Audi R8 Blackbird]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/alex-roy-reviews-his-dream-car-the-audi-r8-blackbird/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/alex-roy-reviews-his-dream-car-the-audi-r8-blackbird/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/13/alex-roy-reviews-his-dream-car-the-audi-r8-blackbird/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

Alex Roy, currently locked in an M5 with our own Damon Lavric, recently got a video tour of a rather nifty Audi R8 owned by someone who insists he remain nameless. Codenamed Blackbird, the coupe is stuffed with enough gadgets to be a testbed for NASA's shuttle replacement, but don't for a second think the interior resembles a jungle of wires, screens and antennae: all the electronic gear is seamlessly integrated in a most impressive way. A sample of the wares in the blacked out supercar with the gunmetal gray blade include four GPS units, two radar detectors, police scanner, CB radio, kill switch for all rear lights, high-speed broadband Internet with Wi-Fi running on a tablet PC, power ports, takedown lights, a remote-controlled exhaust bypass valve, and -- get this -- a liquid-cooled infrasonic wave pulse generator. Apparently, you don't want to stand by that last item if you wish to have children. Follow the jump for the whole story in moving pictures. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Alex Roy reviews his dream car: the Audi R8 Blackbird

 

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]]>alex royAlexRoyaudiaudi r8audi r8 blackbirdAudiR8AudiR8Blackbirdblackbirdgadgetsr8 tunerr8 tuningR8TunerR8Tuningtuningvideo2008-08-13T13:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Talon Performance creates a quad only a mother could love]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/talon-performance-creates-a-quad-only-a-mother-could-love/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/talon-performance-creates-a-quad-only-a-mother-could-love/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/talon-performance-creates-a-quad-only-a-mother-could-love/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Talon Performance is where "Innovation meets the street." That combination apparently yields results like the Talon Street Quad, a body-kitted 4-wheeler based on the Kawasaki KFX700. We think it looks like the innovation and the street got in a big argument, attacked a manatee with bats, and then threw paint on it. Then put it on wheels. Nice, rims, though...

Part quad, part Cars movie extra, part dada, the Talon Street Quad is supposedly street legal. We don't know where these streets are (in America), because quads have been shown the hand by all 50 states when it comes to road duty. Yet according to Talon, "you can even take it on your next road trip."

It'll also save you money at the pump, which is lately the god of all things. So if you want it, but you're not sure about that two-tone paint job, do not fear: you can get it in a single tone for "shear and simple beauty." Or you could just buy the Quadrazuma. And check out the gallery of pics below.

Gallery: Talon Performance Street Quad


[Source: Jalopnik]

 

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]]>atvcustomquadquadstalontalon performancetalon street quadTalonPerformanceTalonStreetQuad2008-08-11T09:04:00+00:00<![CDATA[Transformer toys take on Nissan GT-R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/transformer-toys-take-on-nissan-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/transformer-toys-take-on-nissan-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/transformer-toys-take-on-nissan-gt-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more shots of the Tomy GT-R Transformer

Dozens of new vehicles are expected to appear in the forthcoming Transformers sequel, and we're excited by the possibility of seeing motorcycle transformers mix it up with an Audi R8 and a mystery Corvette. But after seeing these pics, it's obvious what the movie is really missing: a Nissan GT-R. Seriously, take a good look at the GT-R that we recently drove -- it's just begging for some sort of crazy robot-transforming goodness. At least toymaker Takara-Tomy sees in Godzilla what seems so obvious to us, as the Japanese company has worked up a new series of Transformer toys for a new series called "Alternity." Included in the series is the Nissan GT-R, of course.

Considering the off-screen battle that the Team Corvette has waged with the new hotness from Nissan, isn't the movie just begging for an epic, to-the-death fight scene?

Gallery: Tomy GT-R Transformer


[Source: Carscoop]

 

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]]>gt-r transformerGt-rTransformertransformerstransformers 2transformers gt-rtransformers sequelTransformers2TransformersGt-rTransformersSequel2008-08-06T10:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Drive the Lotus Evora... virtually... in the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/01/drive-the-lotus-evora-virtually-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/01/drive-the-lotus-evora-virtually-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/01/drive-the-lotus-evora-virtually-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The Lotus Evora, which you can't drive on real streets yet, has already been driven in GT5. Attendees at the British Motor Show got a chance to put Lotus' latest over the kerbs, thanks to a tie-in between the folks at Hethel and those at game developer Polyphony. If you didn't attend the show, fear not: you can be pretty sure there'll be a version of it in an upcoming batch of downloadable content for GT5 Prologue.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue


[Source: Autocar]

 

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]]>evoragran turismogran turismo 5GranTurismoGranTurismo5gt5lotuslotus evoraLotusEvoraplaystationplaystation 3playstation3polyphonypolyphony digitalpolyphony-digitalPolyphonyDigitalvideo gamevideo gamesVideoGamevideogames2008-08-01T08:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[You know, for the kids: <i>Cars</i> to appear at British motor show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/you-know-for-the-kids-i-cars-i-to-appear-at-british-motor-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/you-know-for-the-kids-i-cars-i-to-appear-at-british-motor-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/03/you-know-for-the-kids-i-cars-i-to-appear-at-british-motor-s/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for the Cars at BIMS in high-res

British kids are at least as into cars as American kids, and probably liked the Pixar movie just as much. But Route 66 is far away from old Blimey, as is the Cars-dedicated theme park which Disney is making at its California Adventure location. British parents will soon be able to pacify their octane-snorting Olivers when the British International Motor Show opens its doors in London, where a full Cars attraction will make its UK debut.

The highlight of the attraction will be a display of life-size Cars cast members, based on actual automobiles. Lightning McQueen will be there (based on a '78 Trans Am), along with Sally Carrera ('02 911) and Mack the Truck ('85 Mack Super-Liner), but British lads might relate best to Mater the buck-toothed tow-truck (based on a Chevy dually pick-up). Kids can also try out the special gaming pods and get their faces painted - though we doubt Ramone (voiced by Cheech) will be there to turn out the his custom schemes.

Gallery: Pixar's Cars at BIMS

[Source: BIMS]

 

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]]>british cars pixarbritish international motor showBritishCarsPixarBritishInternationalMotorShowcarspixars carsPixarsCars2008-07-03T08:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mercedes rolls out iPhone integration]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/mercedes-rolls-out-iphone-integration/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/mercedes-rolls-out-iphone-integration/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/mercedes-rolls-out-iphone-integration/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While many carmakers have worked seemless iPod integration into their vehicles - a surprising make-it-or-break-it factor for many buyers - Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will offer iPhone integration in its automobiles.

The feature will include a docking cradle in the center armrest between the driver and front passenger seats, with the device's phone and audio functions navigable via controls on the steering wheel. The kit will be offered starting in August, can be retrofitted to previous model-year vehicles and will be offered on new vehicles as an option. Although US pricing has yet to be announced, the feature costs the equivalent of $389 in Europe.

[Source: KickingTires]

 

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]]>apple iphoneAppleIphoneiphone dockiphone integrationIphoneDockIphoneIntegrationmercedes iphoneMercedesIphone2008-06-25T08:27:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Mio Knight Rider GPS speaks!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/video-mio-knight-rider-gps-speaks/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/video-mio-knight-rider-gps-speaks/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/video-mio-knight-rider-gps-speaks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you're a child of the 80's, you may very well have gone ballistic when news of Mio's Knight Rider GPS hit cyberspace. The sat-nav unit is not only styled like the original Knight Industries Two Thousand, but even has blinking red lights along the flanks (just like KITT's voice modulator) and features voice directions recorded by the man himself, William Daniels. (What do you mean, who is William Daniels?! He was the original voice of KITT!) You can have it call you Michael and feel like The Hoff himself, or select from a long list of pre-recorded name to have KITT speak to you when that gets old.

The boys over at Knight Rider Online got a hold of a preview unit and did a short video review, which you can check out after the jump. Thanks for the tip, joe!

Gallery: Mio Knight Rider GPS

[Source: Knight Rider Online]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mio Knight Rider GPS speaks!

 

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]]>kitt gpskitt sat-navKittGpsKittSat-navknight rider gpsknight rider sat-navKnightRiderGpsKnightRiderSat-navmio knight rider gpsmio knight rider sat navMioKnightRiderGpsMioKnightRiderSatNav2008-06-24T18:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Auction action: Drive a Lotus, help earthquake victims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Last month China's Sichuan province was devastated by a massive earthquake that killed as many as 70,000 people. If you've wanted to donate to help the survivors but were waiting for just the right opportunity, this could be it.

Our friends over at China Car Times are holding several auctions with the proceeds going to the British Red Cross. Three of the auctions require a little travel for us Americans, but just might be worth a special trip. One is a private tour of the London Taxi factory with a chance to drive one of the iconic cars and some special merchandise from the factory. The second is for the chance to be one of the first people to tour MG's Longbridge factory in Birmingham, England, since taken over by Shanghai Automotive. Not only that, but the top bidder will get to drive the new MG TF LE500. The third auction is your chance to try out the latest vehicles from Lotus right there on its test track in Hethel Norwich, England.

Can't leave the country? Line up behind a couple of Autoblog staffers to bid on the 1:18 scale models of the Lifan 520. These are usually only given to VIP visitors to the Lifan factory and are produced in exacting detail. They're gonna look good in my collection.

The final auction should appeal to anyone with an international business hoping to break into the Chinese market. China Car Times will give to the winning bidder one month of advertising on its Web site, which is a great opportunity to see what your business could do over there.

[Source: China Car Times]

 

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]]>charity auctionCharityAuctionChina Car TimesChina earthquakeChina earthquake charityChinaCarTimesChinaEarthquakeChinaEarthquakeCharityLifanLondon TaxiLondonTaxiLotusMGTF LE500TfLe5002008-06-20T19:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[First-person R/C car puts you in the driver's seat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/13/first-person-r-c-car-puts-you-in-the-drivers-seat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/13/first-person-r-c-car-puts-you-in-the-drivers-seat/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/13/first-person-r-c-car-puts-you-in-the-drivers-seat/#commentsFiled under: ,



A company called Fat Shark offers one of the coolest R/C cars we've ever seen. How so? Its system has a camera mounted in the car's driver's seat. It transmits its signal wirelessly to VR-style goggles that give the operator a first-person view of the terrain ahead of the car itself. That alone would be neat, but the camera has pan and tilt functionality that the driver controls by simply moving his or her head to "look" in each direction. The video pasted after the jump gives you a taste of what what you'd see if the glasses were strapped to your noggin. Granted, you'll look like a dork with the antenna-festooned goggles on, but at least you'll be having fun. Fat Shark also sells the camera and components separately, so you can use them on model airplanes, too. Thanks for the tip, David!

[Source: Fat Shark]

Continue reading First-person R/C car puts you in the driver's seat

 

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]]>fat sharkFatSharkfirst personFirstPersonpovradio controlledRadioControlledrcrc carsRcCars2008-06-13T19:57:00+00:00<![CDATA['66 Barris Batmobile hits the bricks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/26/66-barris-batmobile-hits-the-bricks/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/26/66-barris-batmobile-hits-the-bricks/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/26/66-barris-batmobile-hits-the-bricks/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for photo gallery

Lino M is one of our favorite custom Lego builders. We've shared some of his work with you in the past, and if you frequent his flickr photo stream, you'll find that he's usually up to something new. One of his recent creations is this rather spectacular, unbelievably detailed (dig the Bat Phone in the cockpit) '66 Batmobile he made for a builder challenge. He even created scale-sized Batman and Robin figures that fit inside. Lego would do well to license this design and sell it, as we'd be at Toys 'R Us with money in hand. Lino was kind enough to give us permission to republish the photos you see here, and you can view even higher-res versions in his flickr stream. While you're there, check out the ridiculously awesome new '60 Impala Wagon he just built, too. Now, excuse us while we head to our parents' to liberate our old Legos from the attic.

Gallery: '66 Batmobile in Lego, custom build by Lino M.


[Source: Lino M. via Flickr]

 

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]]>66 batmobile66Batmobilebarris batmobileBarrisBatmobilebatmobilecustom buildcustom legoCustomBuildCustomLegolegolino mLinoM2008-05-26T12:25:00+00:00<![CDATA[LEGO my V8 engine!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/24/lego-my-v8-engine/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/24/lego-my-v8-engine/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/24/lego-my-v8-engine/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the image for more shots of the LEGO V8 engine

Is there anything that a set of LEGO bricks can't create? In the last few months, we've seen a Camaro and a Mustang both built with nothing that wasn't manufactured by the LEGO corporation, and each of those creations featured a V8 engine and working transmission. While the entire process must be insanely difficult and time-consuming, it's the engine that truly separates these from mere toys. If an engine is really nothing more than an air pump, as some like to say, then here is a working V8 engine made entirely from LEGO parts. Following the build, it's easy to see how many transformations that this engine has gone through before the current pushrod version, which operates pretty well at an indicated 1,780 revolutions per minute. This is a fitting engine design, considering that it's slated to get dropped into a Dodge Challenger replica. Click past the break for a video of the engine in action. Thanks for the tip, Kyle!

Gallery: LEGO V8 Engine


[Source: nicjasno.com]

Continue reading LEGO my V8 engine!

 

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]]>legolego blockslego brickslego carlego carslego enginelego v8lego-blockslego-brickslego-carlego-carslego-enginelego-engineslego-v8LegoBlocksLegoBricksLegoCarLegoCarsLegoEngineLegoV82008-05-24T17:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[BMW on the 'Ring: Coming to a mobile phone near you]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/bmw-on-the-ring-coming-to-a-mobile-phone-near-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/bmw-on-the-ring-coming-to-a-mobile-phone-near-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/bmw-on-the-ring-coming-to-a-mobile-phone-near-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

With all the tools installed on mobile phones these days (to say nothing of the ones trying to use them in traffic), there's plenty of ways to keep yourself productive while waiting for an appointment, a train, a date... whatever. Unfortunately, none of them enable you to improve your lap time on the Nürburgring. Fret not, dear gearhead, for Hands-On Mobile is coming to the rescue. The mobile software company has partnered with both BMW AG and Nürburgring GmbH to develop BMW Racing, a new video game for cell phones.

The game will allow mobile gamers to drive any of six different cars - including the M3, M5, M6 and BMW Sauber F1.08, all fully licensed - around a virtual Nordschleife in two different player modes. The game will be available from participating mobile carriers in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America this summer, while we pray American carriers pick up the game, too.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Hands-On Mobile via MCV]

Continue reading BMW on the 'Ring: Coming to a mobile phone near you

 

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]]>bmw mobilebmw racingbmw video gameBmwMobileBmwRacingBmwVideoGamehands on mobileHandsOnMobilenurburgringnurburgring game mobileNurburgringGameMobile2008-05-21T19:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Official: Mattel will offer Ferrari Dino, err... California model]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/20/official-mattel-will-offer-ferrari-dino-err-california-mode/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/20/official-mattel-will-offer-ferrari-dino-err-california-mode/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/20/official-mattel-will-offer-ferrari-dino-err-california-mode/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the new Ferrari California

A few months ago we advised taking our post about Mattel leaking major Ferrari news with a big grain of salt. But as that famous toy maker has been known to do in the past (remember the 1969 Corvette?), Mattel was indeed working on a 1:18th scale model of a new, small Ferrari. As we know, however, it won't be called Dino.

A Mattel insider and Autoblog fan has tipped us off that a 1:18 scale Hot Wheels Ferrari California will be available in "late 2008." With the official unveiling of the Ferrari California supposedly planned for the Paris Motor Show in October, we might be able to take one for a, uh, small test drive before the car is even unveiled.

Gallery: 2009 Ferrari California

 

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]]>ferrari californiaFerrariCaliforniahot wheelshot wheels ferrarhot wheels ferrari californiaHotWheelsHotWheelsFerrarHotWheelsFerrariCaliforniaparis auto showParisAutoShow2008-05-20T11:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ingolstadt's version of the HUMMER limo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/ingolstadts-version-of-the-hummer-limo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/ingolstadts-version-of-the-hummer-limo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/ingolstadts-version-of-the-hummer-limo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click on the above image for a gallery of the Q7 limousine

Proving that money and taste don't always occupy common ground, we've stumbled upon this 14-seat Audi Q7 limousine (don't worry, it's not a factory conversion). With colorful purple Disco lighting adorning both the floor and ceiling, and heated alligator/snake upholstery covering the bench seats, the faux fish tank above the simulated flames doesn't seem so out of place. While twin 17-inch flat screens are nothing to brag about, the "jet door" mounted on the side will surely get you the looks you crave. Located in New York, we should mention it comes from the same company who also offers a 14-passenger Range Rover, and a 14-passenger Infiniti QX56. And you thought HUMMERS got all the fun...

Gallery: 2008 Audi Q7 Limo


[Source: Royal Luxury]

 

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]]>Audi LimoAudiLimolimolimousinelimousinesNew YorkNewYorkQ72008-05-19T15:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[Scooter-geek's dream ride: Yamaha Vino scooter, fully farkled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/scooter-geeks-dream-ride-yamaha-vino-scooter-fully-farkled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/scooter-geeks-dream-ride-yamaha-vino-scooter-fully-farkled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/scooter-geeks-dream-ride-yamaha-vino-scooter-fully-farkled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Though it's usually the adventure touring crowd that excels at turning their motorcycles into rolling technology test-beds, we've recently run across a Yamaha Vino scooter that has been fully farkled. Featuring an on-board computer based around a VIA mini ITX form factor motherboard that's cleverly been hidden under the stock Vino's seat, this rolling geek-mobile packs in WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, GPS, FM radio, a TV tuner and a front-mounted camera in its diminutive frame. With the full-spec computer, pretty much anything should be possible right from the road using this scooter. While this is certainly a cool project, we have a few questions regarding its durability. How long will the acrylic plate that makes the structure for the computer hold up? Perhaps most importantly, how long will the scooter's battery be able to power all this technology? In the name of science, of course, we graciously offer our services for a road trip on the machine to find the answer to these all-important questions. Thanks for the tip, jared!

[Source: Thought Lab]

 

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]]>farklefarkledgeek scootergeek-scooterGeekScooteryamaha vinoyamaha-vinoYamahaVino2008-05-08T19:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[GT Academy competition to put GT5 Prologue player in real race]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/gt-academy-competition-to-put-gt5-prologue-player-in-real-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/gt-academy-competition-to-put-gt5-prologue-player-in-real-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/gt-academy-competition-to-put-gt5-prologue-player-in-real-race/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This is either the stupidest idea ever or the most brilliant co-promotion for two brands in the history of mankind. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, the distributor of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue across the pond, and Nissan are joining forces to host a competition that could place a really good gamer behind the seat of a real Nissan 350Z at a very real 24-hour endurance race in Dubai. The competition is called GT Academy, and the first round will be an online GT5 Prologue tournament hosted on the PLAYSTATION Network (for Europeans only, we presume). Based on the picture provided, it appears that entrants will be racing a Nissan GT-R in a special livery when the competition begins later this month. The rest of the competition will span some eight months, at the end of which the winner will receive a four-month training program to earn actual racing licenses. With his or her newfound knowledge of real physics and how actual damage occurs, the winner will then be given a stint behind the wheel of a Nissan 350Z in the 24-hour endurance race in Dubai.

Based on the press release after the jump, we're a little unclear exactly how GT Academy will whittle down all of these entrants over eight months or how much driving the winner will actually be doing in Dubai. Having raced GT5 Prologue online using the PLAYSTATION Network, we can't imagine qualifying is going to be a pretty sight. There are always plenty of jerks willing to brake late in a corner and buddy bump you into the wall regardless of the game's imposed penalties, especially if they know that seat time in a real 350Z is beyond their own reach.

[Source: Nissan, SCEE]

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]]>gran turismo 5 prologueGranTurismo5Prologuegt academyGtAcademynissan gran turismo 5 prologuenissan gt5 prologuenissan playstationnissan playstation3nissan sonyNissanGranTurismo5PrologueNissanGt5PrologueNissanPlaystationNissanPlaystation3NissanSony2008-05-06T11:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Spoiler Alert: Super GT Rd. 3 Results]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/spoiler-alert-super-gt-rd-3-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/spoiler-alert-super-gt-rd-3-results/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/spoiler-alert-super-gt-rd-3-results/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for a huge, high-res gallery of Rd. 3 of the '08 SuperGT season.

After previous incarnations of the Nissan GT-R ran away with successive JGTC titles, Japan's GT Association decided to inflict "success ballast" on race winners in an attempt to level the playing field (i.e give Toyota and Honda a chance).

As the current GT-R race car is built to 2009 Super GT specifications, the GT-A handed it a weight penalty of 50kgs added right from the start of the season. After winning Round 1 in Suzuka car number 23 had to carry an additional 50kgs at Round 2 in Sugo, which it promptly won anyway. Then thanks to also setting numerous fastest laps and other speeding offenses it was deemed that Benoit Treluyer and Satoshi Motoyama's ride would have to port an massive 200ks (440lbs) of ballast at this weekend's race at Fuji Speedway.

That presents a couple of problems. Firstly, where the heck do you safely stow 200kgs of lead? And would the car meet GT-A regulations even if Nissan found a way to do it? The ruling body's compromise was to give the car a 115kg penalty and fit a stifling restrictor to the GT-R's air intake. That knocked 30kph off the GT-R's maximum velocity at the end of Fuji's 1.5km straight, and in the words of Benoit, "Gives us no chance at all."

Follow through the jump to find out if he was right, and to find out how Lightning McQueen faired in GT300 after qualifying on pole yesterday.

Gallery: 2008 Super GT - Round 3

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: Super GT Rd. 3 Results

 

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]]>fjui speed wayFjuiSpeedWayfuji speed wayFujiSpeedWaygt-rlightning mcqueenLightningMcqueennsxsc-430super gtSuperGt2008-05-05T09:56:00+00:00